there are to be found those " who profess they know God, but in their works deny him;" [1] whose conduct is a reproach to the faith which they glory to profess; who, by sinning, become the dwelling-place of the devil, where he exercises uncontrolled dominion. Therefore do we pray that the kingdom of God may also come to them, by which, the darkness of sin being dispelled from around them, and their minds being illumined by the rays of the divine light, they may be restored to their lost dignity of children of God; that, heresy and schism being removed, and all offences and causes of sins being eradicated from his kingdom, our heavenly Father may cleanse the floor of his church; and that, worshipping God in piety and holiness, she may enjoy undisturbed peace and tranquillity.
Finally, we pray that God alone may live, alone may reign, within us; that death may no longer exist, but may be absorbed in the victory achieved by Christ our Lord, who, having broken and scattered the power of his enemies, may, in his might, subject all things to his dominion.
The pastor will also be mindful to teach the faithful, and this the nature of the petition demands, the thoughts and reflections with which their minds should be impressed, in order to offer this prayer devoutly to God. He will exhort them, in the first place, to consider the force and import of that similitude of the Redeemer: " The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field: which a man having found, hid it, and for joy thereof, goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field." [2] He who knows the riches of Christ the Lord will despise all things when compared to them: to him, wealth, riches, power, will appear as dross; nothing can be compared to, or stand in competition with that inestimable treasure. Whoever, then, is blessed with this knowledge, will say with the Apostle, " I count all things to be but loss, and count them but as dung, that I may gain Christ." [3] This is that precious jewel of the Gospel, to purchase which, he who sells all his earthly goods shall enjoy an eternity of bliss. [4] Happy we, should Jesus Christ shed so much light on our minds, as to enable us to discover this jewel of divine grace, by which he reigns in the hearts of those that are his. Then would we be prepared to sell all that we have on earth, even ourselves, to purchase and secure its possession; then might we say with confidence, " Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" [5] But would we know the incomparable excellence of the kingdom of God's glory, let us hear the concurring sentiments of the Prophet and of the Apostle: " Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him." [6]
To obtain the object of our prayers, it will be found most available to consider seriously who we are; children of Adam,
